Update: Coroner IDs woman found dead in South Roxana

Telegraph Staff Report

February 9, 2014

SOUTH ROXANA — The Madison County Coroner’s Office released the name of a woman found dead in a vehicle parked at the Dollar General on Broadway Avenue Saturday. Coroner Stephen P. Nonn said the woman has been identified as Frances M. Ragan, 42, of East Airwood Drive in East Alton.

Ragan was pronounced dead on Saturday at 9:30 a.m by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Shane Liley. An autopsy has been performed and did not reveal any indication of violence or trauma. Further microscopic testing and toxicological testing will be performed.

The case remains under investigation by the South Roxana Police Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

A statement from the South Roxana PD said the department is currently investigating numerous leads into the death of Frances. The police are asking for anyone who was with or spoke to Frances from Tuesday, Feb. 4 through Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 to contact the police department.

The statement said no associates of Ragan that had been in contact with her during that time frame have not come forward to police. The police department has identified several of the people who were with her between Tuesday and Friday and are in the process of locating them.

The South Roxana Police Department first responded to reports of a woman slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle Saturday. Officers arrived to find Ragan unresponsive. The coroner’s office said the woman was found in a U-Haul van.